Clear photos of ECG printouts, prescriptions and lab reports
Paper medical records present different photo challenges from transparent radiology film. Documents need light reflected from the page rather than transmitted through it. A photo must keep text, graph lines and page edges readable without changing the record itself.
Use even front lighting
Lay paper flat on a stable surface and use diffuse daylight or room lighting from more than one direction. Keep shadows from your hands or phone away from text. Strong direct flash can create bright patches, particularly on glossy receipts or laminated reports. A smooth white or dark background may help the page boundary stand out, but choose one that does not hide its edges.
Preserve ECG grid and labels
An ECG printout can contain fine graph-paper lines as well as traces, calibration marks, machine details and timestamps. Avoid aggressive sharpening, threshold filters or over-contrasting the photo: these may affect the relative visibility of thin lines. Photograph the complete strip or page, and check small labels after capture. MedCam does not interpret ECG waveforms, heart rates or diagnoses.
Keep prescriptions and laboratory reports legible
Check the smallest type, signatures, dates and footnotes before sharing. If a page curls, use a flat, clean support instead of cropping the curved region away. A perspective correction can create a more rectangular derived image, but it may resample text edges; the original should be kept as a separate file.
Protect identifying details
Prescriptions, reports and ECG papers often include names, telephone numbers, patient IDs, dates of birth and clinic details. MedCam does not automatically detect or redact identifiers. Do not assume that re-exporting as JPG, PNG or PDF removes information visibly printed on the page. Share documents only with authorized recipients and use suitable secure communication channels.
Review rather than trust a score
A photo-quality score can warn about shake and exposure without understanding the information on the document. It cannot guarantee an ECG grid is measurable or a drug name is correct. For decisions about medicine or treatment, use the original report and qualified medical personnel.